A04474:4054
A reply unto M. Hardinges answerA replie vnto M. Hardinges ansvveare
A reply unto M. Hardinges answer by perusing whereof the discrete, and diligent reader may easily see, the weak, and unstable grounds of the Romaine religion, which of late hath been accounted Catholic. By John Jewel Bishop of Salisbury.A replie vnto M. Hardinges ansvveare by perusinge whereof the discrete, and diligent reader may easily see, the weake, and vnstable groundes of the Romaine religion, whiche of late hath beene accompted Catholique. By Iohn Iewel Bishoppe of Sarisburie.
Imprinted at London : In Fleetestreate, at the sign of the Black Oliphant, by Henry Wykes, Anno. 1565Imprinted at London : In Fleetestreate, at the signe of the Blacke Oliphante, by Henry VVykes, Anno. 1565
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Where as you in so earnest sort, and with such protestation of friendship, counsel me to leave Christ, and to follow you: as your counsel joined with Trueth, were very wholesome, so standing with manifest Untruth, it is full of danger: and the more vehement, the more dangerous, Certainly, Heretics, and Infidels, to increase their factions, have evermore used the like persuasions. But we may hear no Counsel against the Counsel of GOD. Aristotle sometime said, Socrates is my friend, and so is Plato: but the friendship of Trueth is best of all. We cannot bear witness against GOD: we can not say, Good is Il, and Il is Good: Light is Darkness, and Darkness is Light.1 We cannot be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: it is the mighty power of God unto Salvation.
VVhere as you in so earnest sorte, and with suche protestation of frendship, counselmee to leaue Christe, and to folowe you: as your counsel ioined with Truethe, were very holsome, so standinge with manifest Vntrueth, it is ful of danger: and the more vehemente, the more dangerous, Certainely, Heretiques, and Infidelles, to increase their factions, haue euermore vsed the like persuasions. But wee may heare no Counsel against the Counsel of GOD. Aristotle sometime saide, Socrates is my frende, and so is Plato: but the frendship of Trueth is best of al. VVee cannot beare witnesse against GOD: wee can not say, Good is Il, and Il is Good: Light is Darknesse, and Darknesse is Light.1 VVee cannot be ashamed of the Gospel of Christe: it is the mighty povver of God vnto Saluation.
- 1Roman. 1.
And, with whom then would ye have us to join? Examine the weight, and circumstance of your Council. Whom should we flee? whom should we follow? Leave affection: leave favour of parts: and judge uprightly. Would ye have us, to join with them, that have burnt the Word of God: and scornfully clle it a Shipman's hose, and a Nose of Wax? That maintain manifest, and known errors? That call God's people Dogs, and Swine? That say, Ignorance is the Mother of true Devotion? That force the people to open Idolatry? That forbid Lawful marriage: and licence Concubines, and Common Stews? That have devised unto them selves a strange Religion, without either Scriptures, or Ancient Councils, or Old Doctors, or Example of the Primitive Church? That have turned their backs to God that have deceived the people? That hau made the house of God a Cave of Thieves? Whom so many Kingdoms, and Countries, and infinite thousands of Godly people have forsaken? From whom the holy Ghost by express words hath commanded us to depart?